The month of April has certainly been busy for all of us – it’s a mix of events to close out the academic year, events to welcome a new class of students, and a rush of meetings to finish up the tasks and goals of the year.

Earlier this week we held the first meeting of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Lloyd Blanchard, Pamir Alpay and I will be co-chairing this process in partnership with Anna Pond, an external consultant who will help guide us to develop a strong and actionable strategic plan for the University. I am excited to build on the vision President Maric has set and am invested in creating a plan that aligns our priorities and values with resources to support the advancement of our beloved UConn. The committee had a terrific opening discussion of our goals and the need for a “One UConn” approach to the plan. I’ll use this space in the coming months to update you on our progress.

We also held a Trustee-Administration-Faculty-Student (TAFS) meeting this month, with a focus on undergraduate student success. The University Bylaws establish this TAFS committee with the goal of creating a space for representatives of the university community to come together to discuss issues of importance. We had a presentation from Dr. Tadarrayl Starke, Associate Vice Provost for Student Success, and a robust conversation around current and planned programming to promote student engagement and academic success.

I had the opportunity to spend a day at the Avery Point Campus meeting with faculty, students, and staff. I appreciated the honest and thoughtful discussions I had with many individuals throughout the day surrounding issues like building enrollment, resource and space constraints, and academic program offerings. I plan to continue visiting each of our campuses on a regular basis so I can put focus on supporting the UConn experience across all areas of the State.

I attended the Undergraduate Research Presentations and Mentorship Excellence Awards hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and was so impressed by the creativity and brilliance of our undergraduate researchers. This event takes place at both Storrs and Stamford, with opportunities for students from all campuses to participate. Programs like this are essential to providing a life-transformative experience for our students. None of this would be possible without the leaders of OUR and the many faculty and staff who serve as mentors for these students.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the lunch that was prepared for me by students in Nutritional Science 3271: Food Services Systems Management. They were required to plan, cost out, quantify, and cook a three-course meal in CAHNR’s teaching kitchen, and I was thrilled to participate! The meal was vegetarian and absolutely delicious, especially a Peruvian appetizer of roasted potatoes with a spiced tomato salsa.

There are many more things I could mention but won’t try to be exhaustive. I am grateful to everyone for their hard work as we wrap up this semester and get ready for the summer, and look forward to celebrating Commencement Weekend with you!

All best,

Anne

UConn's Newest Living/Learning Community Launching Fall 2023

Officially launched with a celebration on April 27^th, the newly established BSOUL House (a Learning Community in support of Black Sisters Optimizing Unity & Leadership) is designed to support the scholastic efforts of female students who identify as African American/Black through academic and social/emotional support, access to research opportunities, and professional development. BSOUL House is open to first- and second-year female undergraduates interested in engaging in courses and co-curricular activities related to the experience of Black females in higher education. For more information, visit https://LC.uconn.edu/.

Interfolio Review, Promotion & Tenure (RPT)

UConn has implemented Interfolio’s Review, Promotion & Tenure module for the submission and review of all promotion, tenure, and midpoint review cases for the AY 23-24 PTR cycle. Interfolio RPT is a secure, online workflow platform that provides customizable tools to manage all of the documents, workflows, committees, communication, and outcomes associated with review-based academic decisions.

We thank you all for your engagement, enthusiasm, and input as we’ve worked over the past year to configure this new system and prepare for its launch. As of this month, departmental system administrators may now begin creating cases within RPT for faculty who will be coming up for promotion (both tenure track and non-tenure track), tenure, or midpoint review in the 23-24 PTR cycle utilizing the department- and action-specific templates.

Learn More.

Reading Days

Reading Days are Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and April 30. Per the University Senate By-Laws, the intent of Reading Days is as follows:

Reading Days are protected time for students to prepare for the final exam and assessment period. Instructors shall not require any course-related activity, assessment, or submission of work on Reading Days. Instructors may use Reading Days for optional activities, such as office hours. While an instructor cannot initiate required course-related activity, assessments, or submission of work on Reading Days, instructors have the option to accommodate student requests for required work and/or examinations to be rescheduled for a Reading Day. Reading Days restrictions do not include responsibilities with external placements, such as clinical positions and internships.

Final Exams

Final exams begin on Monday, May 1, and end on Saturday, May 6.

Final in-class examinations may not be given during the last week of classes. Other types of assessments (for example, but not only, portfolios, performances, projects, presentations, etc.) may be due in the last week of classes, but should be clearly delineated on the syllabus from the first week of classes.

Undergraduate students may request rescheduling for an exam through the Dean of Students Office for the Storrs campus or each regional campus student services office, and as early as possible. The reasons for such a request include bunched finals or other extenuating circumstances. Such bunched finals may include final assessments like juried performances for Fine Arts students. A student whose absence is excused by the Dean of Students Office or regional student services staff shall have an opportunity to take a final without penalty. Please consult the Dean of Students website and the Registrar’s website for further details.

UNESCO ChatGPT Quick Start Guide

UNESCO has developed a ChatGPT quick start guide to provide an overview of how ChatGPT works and explains how it can be used in higher education. The Quick Start Guide raises some of the main challenges and ethical implications of AI in higher education and offers practical steps that higher education institutions can take. This Quick Start Guide was published in April 2023. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field. This guide is based on GPT-3.5, the latest free version of ChatGPT available at the time of writing. As well as dynamic changes in technology, the ethical implications of ChatGPT and other forms of AI are also swiftly advancing. Readers are advised to constantly check reliable sources for the latest news and updates.

https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ChatGPT-and-Artificial-Intelligence-in-higher-education-Quick-Start-guide_EN_FINAL.pdf

Victoria Vaughan Dickson Named Dean of UConn School of Nursing

Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN has been appointed as the next Dean of the School of Nursing. She will begin this new role on August 1, 2023.

Dr. Dickson has demonstrated a deep understanding of our School of Nursing’s needs and will bring the necessary leadership and vision to continue the school’s extraordinary achievements across teaching, research and engagement. She is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for the School and will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations across the University.

Read the full announcement.

CLAS Dean Juli Wade

Juli Wade, who has served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (CLAS) and Sciences since 2019, has accepted the position of Executive Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University.

Throughout the last four years, Juli has provided great leadership for CLAS and its many units including the newly established School of Public Policy, 24 departments and 13 centers and institutes. Juli led the development of the CLAS strategic plan with collaborative involvement by faculty, staff and students across the college. She has guided CLAS through significant growth, including expanding academic program offerings, increasing research expenditures, and strategic hiring.

Juli has also been a strong advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion work in CLAS and across the University. She hired the first Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in CLAS and has supported numerous initiatives to foster a supportive and inclusive environment in the University’s largest college.

Beginning July 1, 2023, Ofer Harel, currently Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs, will serve as the Interim Dean of CLAS. Ofer formerly served as the Director of Graduate Admissions in the Department of Statistics and is a Professor of Statistics. I’m grateful to Ofer for his willingness to serve in this role and am confident in his ability to lead CLAS and drive progress in supporting the academic mission and promoting research and innovation.

School of Fine Arts Dean Search

The Office of the Provost will launch a search to identify the next dean of the School of Fine Arts, chaired by Kazem Kazerounian, Dean of the School of Engineering.  Listening sessions will take place the week of May 1^st. Details on listening sessions dates, committee membership, and candidate information will all be available online here.

New Training for State Employees: Understanding Domestic Violence

During the 2022 legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed Public Act 22-82.  This legislation requires all state agencies to provide to all employees one hour of training and education related to domestic violence and the resources available to victims of domestic violence.

To comply with this state requirement, the Office of Institutional Equity prepared a self-paced online video presentation available through the Learning@Work system.  Employees will be receiving direct communication from Learning@Work with instructions on how to fulfill this training requirement.  This training must be completed by July 1, 2023.

UConn and UConn Health are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory learning and working environment for all members of our community.  UConn and UConn Health are also committed to ensuring our employees are equipped with information, support and assistance.

Please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at (860) 486-2943 or equity@uconn.edu for questions or concerns.  Information about resources can be found on the University’s Title IX website (www.titleix.uconn.edu).

Celebrating Promotion & Tenure of 96 Faculty

At their meeting on April 19^th, the Board of Trustees approved the promotion and tenure of 96 faculty across UConn’s multiple campuses. Evaluations for promotion, tenure, and reappointment apply the highest standards of professional achievement in scholarship, teaching, and service for each faculty member evaluated. Applications for promotion and tenure are reviewed at the department level, school or college level, and finally at the Office of the Provost before recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Trustees. This process involves significant work on the part of each faculty member, as well as assistance and support of colleagues and administrative staff who provide guidance and manage many of the logistics through each stage of the promotion and tenure cycle. It is a notable milestone for each faculty member awarded these promotions, as well as for their colleagues. View the listing of faculty promoted and/or granted tenure here.

2023 Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients

From business success to civil rights, from fine art to visionary mathematics, the honored guests of UConn’s commencement ceremonies bring a wealth of experience, insight, and wisdom to share with this year’s graduates.

Executive Leader Onboarding

Another session of the Executive Leader Onboarding series was held on Thursday, March 30^th at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. Senior administrators participated in dynamic discussions with Human Resource leadership at UConn and UConn Health about services and resources offered and current projects. Additionally, senior leaders participated in a Predictive Index assessment to understand how their leaderships styles can help control workplace outcomes and steer their teams in the right direction with confidence and empathy. Interim CEO of UConn Health and Dean of the UConn School of Medicine Dr. Bruce Liang presented on the highlights of UConn Health and its facilities as the campus has undergone a major transformation over the past decade due to the State’s investment in the Bioscience Connecticut initiative. Senior leaders also participated in a UConn Health campus tour, including student learning and training labs, new research labs, and the renovated medical and dental clinical facilities that continue to provide exceptional patient care and training for medical and dental professionals in Connecticut.

Upcoming Governor's Council on Women and Girls Panel re Firefighters

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Next week, Wednesday, May 3rd from 10am to 11am via Zoom, the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls will host a panel discussion on women firefighters. Moderated by Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, the panel will discuss their path to their current roles, experience thus far, how we can increase the pipeline for more women as firefighters, and much more. Although the panel consists of all women with a focus of increasing the voices of women in the topic selected, all members of the general public are welcome to attend. If you’re interested in this topic but unable to attend, a recording will be posted online here following the event.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER https://provost.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2165/2023/04/CoWaG-Firefighter-Panel-Flyer-FINAL.png

As of today, we have received a record high of over 48,200 applications across all our campuses. UConn is in demand, and that is a direct reflection of our talented and innovative faculty and staff. Our program for admitted students, UConn Bound, will take place on April 1 and 15, and I’m grateful to all the faculty, staff, and current students who will participate in these important events. They were favorites of mine when I was a Department Head and Dean – it was always rewarding to connecting with hopeful, excited prospective students and their families. I especially enjoyed meeting not only our Fine Arts students, but also students from other disciplines who visited with us to ask about minors and participating in ensembles.

This is a busy time of year in the Provost’s Office. We have almost completed academic unit budget hearings as well as the promotion, tenure and reappointment process for 2022-23. The Provost’s Office is also launching its DEIJ Faculty Fellow Program, with the goal of advancing innovative efforts in DEIJ work as well as building a pipeline of leaders at the university. For the coming academic year, one faculty member will be selected to work with the Provost’s Office on specific DEIJ initiatives in collaboration with the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. We hope to expand programs like this in the future, to give faculty opportunities to gain experience in administration and engage in impactful professional development.

We are also working to address a number of challenges. Over the past few months, faculty and staff have shared significant frustration with the Concur travel system. Please understand that our colleagues in Procurement and Accounts Payable are working hard and with a very good will to support travelers, and we all appreciate your patience as we work to improve the system. The President has asked Lloyd Blanchard, our Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Planning, to convene a working group that will include colleagues from Procurement, Accounts Payable, frequent travelers among the faculty, and other key stakeholders to identify needed improvements. You will be hearing more about this initiative in the coming week.

I can’t in good conscience end without mentioning one of the most important things happening this month – basketball! I am so proud of the UConn Women’s team for their tenacity and determination throughout a challenging season, their Big East Tournament title, and their deep run in the NCAA tournament. I’m now anxiously awaiting Saturday’s Final Four game, and will be cheering on the UConn Men’s team along with all of UConn Nation.

GO HUSKIES!

Anne

Provost’s DEIJ Faculty Fellow Program

The Provost's Office seeks interested applicants for a Provost's DEIJ Faculty Leadership Fellow to contribute to the advancement of the Provost's DEIJ initiatives for AY 23-24. The fellow will oversee an assigned portfolio of initiatives and projects, collaborating closely with the Provost, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, vice provosts, deans, department heads, and faculty. Applicants will be considered who hold a current, full-time faculty position at the University, and may include tenured faculty or CIRE faculty on multi-year contracts. It is anticipated that the fellow will contribute approximately 4-8 hours per week to assigned projects and initiatives, and work hours may vary based on active projects. The term of the appointment will be August 23, 2023 - May 22, 2024. Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

Senate Bylaw Amendment Approval

At the March 6 meeting, the University Senate approved an amendment to the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the University Senate, II.B.12, Readmission. The amendment proposed the additional of an academic renewal option which allows students who have been separated from the university for a significant period to omit a certain number of courses from GPA calculation. The option is designed to provide motivation, incentive, and access for those students hoping to return to UConn to complete their degree.

Senate PTR/PR Forums

In partnership with the Provost’s Office and AAUP, the Faculty Standards Committee of the University Senate will hold two separate forums on faculty promotion, tenure, and reappointment on Friday, April 14, 2023, via WebEx.  The purpose of the forums is to ensure that all faculty are aware of PTR and PR procedures and expectations at the university and have the opportunity to have their questions answered by the administration.

The Promotion, Tenure & Reappointment (PTR) program for tenure track faculty will be held from 9:00-11:00 AM.  The program will begin in a group session with the Provost’s Office outlining PTR procedures at the University of Connecticut. This large group meeting will be followed by breakout sessions for participating schools/colleges, led by Deans or their designees, to discuss the nuances of the PTR process specific to each school/college.

The Promotion and Reappointment program will be held from 1:00-2:30 PM and is for faculty who are eligible to use the non tenure track promotion and reappointment form (this covers clinical, in-residence, and extension [CIRE] faculty members and lecturers, as well as research professors).

Faculty and staff who plan to attend must register by April 12^th to attend by completing the appropriate survey.  Reservations can also be made via the Senate website. Recordings of the programs will be available after April 14th.

Register for the PTR Forum (tenure track) here.

Register for the PR Forum (non tenure track) here.

Religious Observances Reminders

We believe that meaningful inclusion plays a critical role in the well-being of all members of the UConn community. In accordance with this mission, we advise faculty and staff to take dates of religious holidays into consideration when planning events or setting academic deadlines. Please click here to visit the Religious Observances webpage. If you notice a religious holiday that is not included on this webpage, please contact provost@uconn.edu.

Reading Days

Reading Days are Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and April 30. Per the University Senate By-Laws, the intent of Reading Days is as follows:

Reading Days are protected time for students to prepare for the final exam and assessment period. Instructors shall not require any course-related activity, assessment, or submission of work on Reading Days. Instructors may use Reading Days for optional activities, such as office hours. While an instructor cannot initiate required course-related activity, assessments, or submission of work on Reading Days, instructors have the option to accommodate student requests for required work and/or examinations to be rescheduled for a Reading Day. Reading Days restrictions do not include responsibilities with external placements, such as clinical positions and internships.

Final Exams

Final exams begin on Monday, May 1, and end on Sunday, May 6.

Final in-class examinations may not be given during the last week of classes. Other types of assessments (for example, but not only, portfolios, performances, projects, presentations, etc.) may be due in the last week of classes, but should be clearly delineated on the syllabus from the first week of classes.

Undergraduate students may request rescheduling for an exam through the Dean of Students Office for the Storrs campus or each regional campus student services office, and as early as possible. The reasons for such a request include bunched finals or other extenuating circumstances. Such bunched finals may include final assessments like juried performances for Fine Arts students. A student whose absence is excused by the Dean of Students Office or regional student services staff shall have an opportunity to take a final without penalty. Please consult the Dean of Students website and the Registrar’s website for further details.

Library Dean Announcement

Following a comprehensive review charged by the Provost, Anne Langley has been reappointed for another five year term as Dean of the UConn Library effective August 23, 2023.

Read the full announcement.

Provost's Office Personnel Update

Effective March 17, 2023, Bridget Inzirillo has left the Provost’s Office and accepted a new position at North Carolina State University as Assistant Dean of Finance at NC State in the Wilson College of Textiles. Anyone who had the opportunity to work with Bridget knows how truly exceptional she is. Bridget masterfully managed several complex budgets in academic affairs and played an instrumental role in overseeing the finance, personnel and general operations of the Provost’s Office. She has been a source of guidance for many of us and will certainly be missed.

Kate Clark, Associate Director of Finance with a dual report to the Provost’s office and BPIR, will be serving as Interim Director of Academic Finance and Administration. Kate has worked closely with the Provost’s Office over the past few years, and I am confident in her ability to take on this role. We will plan to launch a search to refill the position permanently and will share details when available.

Faculty Salary Equity Taskforce Report

In response to the report by Charles River Associates on salary inequity by gender, the University Senate, AAUP, and the university administration charged a Salary Equity Task Force to address the issues of salary inequity by gender and race/ethnicity with a greater scope, depth, and faculty input that would propose remedies for existing inequities and help avoid future inequities. The Taskforce’s final report is now available.

Kognito: NEW Online simulation training

Have you ever been worried about a student? Faculty and staff are in an ideal position to recognize when someone is struggling emotionally and may need help.  Kognito is an online interactive training that lets faculty and staff practice conversations with virtual students, to assist with engaging students and connecting them to other campus resources when needed.  Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) is making this program available to all members of the UConn community to help create a safer and more supportive campus.

The online module runs for approximately 40 minutes and connects users with a coach and walks through various scenarios.  It is designed to:

• Support academic performance
• Enhance student retention
• Promote campus safety

These practice discussions help students build resilience, strengthen relationships and develop connections with campus resources.  A pre and post survey offers important feedback about impact and the module concludes with an overview of campus resources and a certificate of completion.

To launch the training visit uconn.kognito.com.  In addition, the resources to support student wellbeing website provides additional tools.

Husky Harvest in Storrs

Following great success at the Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury campuses, the Storrs campus has now launched its Husky Harvest food pantry. In partnership with Connecticut Foodshare, Husky Harvest provides food and other necessities for our community. Located in Charter Oaks Apartments, Husky Harvest is conveniently located for all students including undergraduate and graduates, faculty, staff, or anyone with a UConn ID.

Center for Career Development wins 2023 EY Global Career Services Award

UConn’s Center for Career Development was awarded the Ernst & Young Global Award for University Employer Partnerships, recognizing a career center with the best practice in programs aimed at connecting students with employers. The Center for Career Development team, led by Assistant Vice Provost Jim Lowe, is comprised of passionate and thoughtful individuals who are making a huge difference in the lives of UConn students and preparing them for their future careers. We are so proud of our colleagues for this tremendous achievement and thankful for the important work they do for our students and communities.

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Awarded 2023 Priestley Medal

University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr. Cato T. Laurencin was awarded the 2023 Priestley Medal, the highest honor of the American Chemical Society. He is being recognized for his work on polymeric materials and composites for biological use as well as for his leadership in inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism. Dr. Laurencin has dedicated his life and career to pioneering the field of regenerative engineering, defined as “the convergence of advanced materials science, stem cell science, physics, developmental biology, and clinical translation toward the regeneration of complex tissues, organs, or organ systems.” In his address at the March 28th ACS reception, Dr. Laurencin remarked “I’m excited about the power of polymeric chemistry and materials science in addressing grand challenges. People tell me this is going to be hard. But I tell my students, as Bob Marley stated, ‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.’”

Faculty Honors and Awards

Faculty at the University of Connecticut are known nationally and internationally for their excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. As a highly visible measure of this, our faculty are frequently recognized for their excellence and expertise as recipients of many internal and prestigious national and international awards. Each achievement is richly deserved and further elevates the international reputation of UConn as a top research institution. To further recognize our excellent faculty, the Office of the Provost has developed a webpage to highlight such awards and honors. Please visit the Awards & Honors webpage to learn more about our faculty and details on how to submit award information to be published on our page. This page is scheduled to be updated once every semester and faculty are encouraged to submit their recent external awards and honors for recognition.

Highlighting Interdisciplinary Scholarship

The mission of the Institute of Materials Science (IMS) is to promote education, research, and outreach across internal and external communities in the exciting and ever-growing field of materials research. There are three major educational programs in IMS including the Materials Science and Engineering Department, the Materials Science Ph.D. program, and the Polymer Ph.D. program. Undergraduate students in our research groups are trained in making, characterizing, and applying materials. Independent study, senior design, NSF REU, UCONN SURF, work study, and individual research projects are all supported by our labs and funding. Graduate student fellowships through the UCONN Foundation and federally funded programs also contribute to educational efforts. A new online certificate program in Advanced Materials Characterization is aimed at practical aspects of use of instruments and data interpretation, including workforce education of industrial researchers. Over 150 faculty members and similar numbers of graduate students use the Core Research and Service Facilities in IMS. Lab Managers of these facilities are Ph.D. level researchers who train students, operate, and provide maintenance of instruments.

Our efforts are multifold in support of the University's research mission. Besides individual grants and contracts, IMS houses numerous multi-investigator awards due to the strong inerdisciplinary composition of faculty members and students from various schools and colleges. Some of the multi-investigator programs housed in IMS include large federal programs under MURI, I/UCRC, ARPA-E, and GAANN Fellowship programs in both Polymers and Materials Science & Engineering.  Major industry programs include the Pratt Center of Excellence, the Collins Aerospace Center of Excellence, the DENSsolution Center of Excellence, and the UConn Thermo Fisher Scientific Center for Advanced Microscopy and Materials Analysis. These programs all provide support to graduate students and a foundation for many Ph.D. theses. Many of IMS’s industrial research partners are members of the review committees for our graduate students and provide outstanding perspective of potential careers, as well as advice about research. The new building for IMS is shown here.

Outreach is another important activity in IMS. The Industrial Affiliates Program (IAP) serves many companies by carrying out characterization of their materials. Short courses and workshops are also provided through IAP. Our External Advisory Board (EAB) consists of leaders from industry and the Connecticut State government who provide invaluable support and advice for new directions. With the help of EAB members, we have established several Centers of Excellence in IMS that involve collaborative research projects, use of instrumentation by industrial researchers, Certificate Courses, and short term service work. IMS’s investment in outreach also supports multiple materials-based programs (such as sponsorship of a materials division under the CT Invention Convention) and other University efforts such as Olympiads, summer fellowships, McNair scholars, SURF, and LSAMP.

The IMS website, www.ims.uconn.edu, provides significant information about our research efforts, personnel, and outreach programs. Details concerning the number of resident faculty members, grant awards per year, number of students, industry partners, alumni, annual research funding, leadership, and other related information can be found online under our Interactive Fact Sheet .

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among the core values of the University of Connecticut and the Institute of Materials Science. We recognize that diversity in outlook and approach, equity on all levels, and total inclusion all contribute to a vibrant intellectual environment, promote deep understanding of our society's shared challenges, and cultivate perspectives needed to solve problems of the future. We firmly believe that collaboration among team members with varied experiences, perspectives and viewpoints generates more incisive and deeper insight that better serves our people, partners, customers, and communities.

Academic Affairs Spotlight

The Office of the Provost and the units that report in academic affairs are staffed and led by an outstanding group of talented and dedicated colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Alyssa Kelleher, Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs. Alyssa was enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard before earning a commission through Army ROTC while attending UConn. She served in the Regular Army after commissioning until returning in 2007 to the Connecticut National Guard. Alyssa deployed twice to Afghanistan, once as a Platoon Leader and once as a Company Commander. Alyssa continues to serve in the Connecticut National Guard, currently as the Battalion Commander of the 1/169 Regional Training Institute (RTI). She graduated from UConn in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and earned her Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from UConn in 2017.

 What does a typical work week look like for you? 

There really is no typical week, which is part of why I love my job so much! I have recurring events, like team meetings, coordination meetings with both ROTC Department Heads, and meetings with my Leadership Legacy Student. Beyond these things every week looks different based on what time of the year it is, what projects we are working on, what events we have coming up, and what students bring to us. As a small team we work on most of these things together. Woven throughout every week is plenty of time with each other, and with our student employees. It's important to all of us to create a place where all of us like to come to work, and where our students like to come for advice or just for a space to study or relax.

What is an important project/initiative you’re working on right now?  

There are a few - one is a big reapproval (requirement every two years) with the Federal VA so UConn continues to be a school that can accept GI Bill benefits - a lot if going into this behind the scenes as we work with Sarah Croucher and other campus partners on various administrative requirements that must be line in order to submit the reapproval. Another one is expanding the Veteran's History Project, which Emily Lugo on the team is doing a great job with! Lastly, we are finishing up legislative season, providing feedback through Government Relations to the state on behalf of our students and the University.

What are you most looking forward to as the academic year begins?

This one is a shameless plug for a new program that is housed within our department, but is a stand alone federal grant serving the whole state of CT - the Connecticut Veterans Upward Bound Program. Run by Ryan Hinton and Jessika Gossett, this program will be fully running by the end of summer/new Academic Year, so I am really excited to see the possibilities and their hard work being realized at that point in time!

If you could solve one problem right now at UConn, what would it be?

This is not a "problem" as much as something that is an area in which we can possibly improve, and it's something that's already being worked on - and that's transfer credit for military training and military experience. It's clearly specific to our students, but transfer of credit is a larger concept that can be applied to many students beyond those who have served.

What is your favorite dairy Bar ice cream/spot on campus?

My favorite Dairy Bar ice cream is banana chocolate chip with peanut butter topping! 

Another favorite thing of mine at UConn is the trees - but somehow my favorites aren't on the campus tree touring guide. My favorite trees are the large tree at the corner of the parking lot next to Mirror Lake and Manchester Hall, the tree on Horsebarn Hill Rd. in between the parking lot behind the Young Building and the Horse Barns, and the beautiful flowering trees right outside our own building, Hawley Armory along the side walk. 

Lastly, my daugther (5 years old) would say her favorite thing at UConn is the Walrus, inside the TLS Building! 

UConn Reads

Dates

March 22- April 21, 2023: Ramadan

April 1, 2023: Emeritus Nominations Due

April 5-13, 2023: Passover

April 7, 2023: Good Friday

April 9, 2023: Easter Sunday

April 21-22, 2023: Eid al-Fitr

April 26, 2023: Interfolio RPT Consultation by Appointment

February has been an exceptionally busy month. We’re nearing the end of the annual promotion, tenure and reappointment cycle; introducing new PTR/PR software; preparing for academic unit budget hearings; and working on planning for the next academic year.

By now you’re likely all aware of the current situation with the governor’s proposed biannual budget and its potential impact on UConn. I have been participating in meetings with President Maric, UConn leaders, and legislators actively working on ways to bridge the gap between UConn’s request and the governor’s proposal. In undertaking this work I have been tremendously inspired by our UConn students and their extraordinary vision and leadership in protesting the proposed budget and highlighting the profound impacts it would have on their education. It was good to see them turn out in force for a peaceful and passionate protest on February 15, and also to see the large number of faculty and staff who joined them in solidarity.

UConn students and students from the Connecticut state universities and community colleges spoke at a panel that night to address the impact of the proposed budget on their universities. With other University leaders, I attended in person to support the students, and was moved by the thoughtfulness and depth of their testimony. I was proud to see so many Connecticut students actively using their voices to initiate change. It reminds me how lucky we are to have the opportunity to help nurture and educate our students to be the future leaders of our state and nation. I was also impressed by the focus, respect, and good will that our state legislators brought to their interactions with all of us but especially the students – their dedication to the public good was clear at every moment.

I also want to acknowledge that, despite all that we have going on, it’s important to reflect on our community wellbeing. Earlier this month, we learned of another tragic mass-shooting on a university campus. The safety of our students, staff and faculty is of the utmost importance all of UConn’s campuses. I encourage all faculty and staff to check in with your units to make sure you know your unit’s emergency plans. And most importantly, I encourage us all to check in with each other. This could mean allowing time for students to share their feelings during class or office hours; making a referral to the CARE team if you are concerned about a student’s wellbeing; setting up time to meet individually with direct reports to see how they are doing; or just meeting up with a colleague for a coffee to catch up. Supporting each other is how we will continue to move forward together.

Reading Days

Reading Days are Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and April 30. Per the University Senate By-Laws, the intent of Reading Days is as follows:

Reading Days are protected time for students to prepare for the final exam and assessment period. Instructors shall not require any course-related activity, assessment, or submission of work on Reading Days. Instructors may use Reading Days for optional activities, such as office hours. While an instructor cannot initiate required course-related activity, assessments, or submission of work on Reading Days, instructors have the option to accommodate student requests for required work and/or examinations to be rescheduled for a Reading Day. Reading Days restrictions do not include responsibilities with external placements, such as clinical positions and internships.

Final Exams

Final exams begin on Monday, May 1, and end on Sunday, May 6.

Final in-class examinations may not be given during the last week of classes. Other types of assessments (for example, but not only, portfolios, performances, projects, presentations, etc.) may be due in the last week of classes, but should be clearly delineated on the syllabus from the first week of classes.

Undergraduate students may request rescheduling for an exam through the Dean of Students Office for the Storrs campus or each regional campus student services office, and as early as possible. The reasons for such a request include bunched finals or other extenuating circumstances. Such bunched finals may include final assessments like juried performances for Fine Arts students. A student whose absence is excused by the Dean of Students Office or regional student services staff shall have an opportunity to take a final without penalty. Please consult the Dean of Students website and the Registrar’s website for further details.

Finals Opt-Out Reminder

If you are not delivering a final exam in Spring 2023, we ask that you fill out a brief form to notify the Registrar that you are opting out. We are asking for those who use another method of assessment (portfolios, projects, etc.) to let us know so that the room and/or time may be available for other instructors during the assessment period. It is also important that instructors recognize that due dates for these alternative forms of final assessment should not fall on days designated as reading days. As always, all due dates should be indicated on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester.

Many of our instructors have used other forms of assessment that align more purposefully with their intended learning objectives. Assessment formats can include individual or group-based strategies, e.g.  projects, portfolios, papers, team-based work, creative works, performances, presentations, and other assessments in lieu of final exams.

Class Absences Due to Illness

At this time of year, and considering the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to remind faculty that students are not required to provide “sick notes” or “medical excuses” when they miss classes, and such excuses should not be requested from them. More generally, per the university Senate By-laws, student grades should not be reduced because of a student’s absence. Please exercise flexibility and understanding for students who may miss class or classwork due to illness. Faculty should also exercise caution in attending class if they are feeling sick. Our community’s health and wellbeing remains a priority of the University. If any other COVID-related questions or issues arise during the remainder of the semester and academic year, you may find our COVID-19 FAQs for Academic Operations to be helpful, but as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our office directly at provost@uconn.edu if you would like additional support.

Spring 2023 Pop-Up Courses

Pop-up classes are taught online in a multidisciplinary and integrated fashion by faculty from various schools and colleges and are offered to faculty, staff and students on topics of shared interest to the community and national or international importance.

Why the Jews? Confronting Antisemitism

Antisemitism has often been described as the “oldest hatred.” Yet the term “antisemitism” is a modern formulation, coined in Germany in the 1870s a badge of pride by German nationalists who feared Jews posed a danger to “true German culture.” Why should the so-called “anti-semites” define who or what Jews and Judaism are? Just as the broad range of Jewish experiences around the globe over thousands of years defies easy categorization, hatred of Jews has taken so many forms from antiquity to the present that it also resists simple categorization or definition. Why have the Jewish people been such convenient targets for any number of agendas and ideologies? What accounts for the persistence of numerous anti-Jewish tropes that run the gamut from “Christ-killer” to socialist, capitalist, parasite, and purveyor of global power? This course will first and foremost introduce students to the diverse nature of Jewish identity, before examining the many manifestations of Jewish hatred throughout history, and the ways in which Jews have attempted to respond to a hatred that refuses to disappear.

Transformation Now

Emeritus Status Nomination Deadline

Faculty who retire at the rank of associate professor (or equivalent clinical, in-residence, and extension titles) and who have at least five years of service are automatically recommended for emeritus status to the Board of Trustees. However, faculty or other related staff who retire and do not meet these conditions can only be considered for emeritus status if nominated to the Emeritus Committee. The next deadline for submitting materials to this committee is April 1. Further details, including guidelines for nomination materials, can be found on the Office of the Provost website.

Interfolio Town Hall

On February 10, the Provost’s Office held virtual town hall offering a brief overview of Interfolio’s Review, Promotion and Tenure and Dossier Modules and to answer questions from the community about the rollout of this new system. A recording of the Town Hall, and dates for future open office hours with Interfolio system administrators are available on the Interfolio @ UConn webpage.

Nursing Dean Search

We are pleased to share that four candidates have been selected as finalists for the Dean of the School of Nursing position. The candidates will visit Storrs and UConn Health the week of February 27, 2023. We encourage you to participate in public forums throughout their visits and share your feedback on each candidate in the provided surveys. This input will be carefully considered by the members of the search committee. Information on candidates including CVs, public forum meeting links, and feedback surveys are available on this page.

Executive Leader Onboarding

Another session of the Executive Leader Onboarding series was held on Thursday, February 9 at the UConn Waterbury campus. Senior administrators participated in dynamic discussions with University Safety and ITS about safety in the workplace and online. Participants learned about university safety resources, emergency response guidelines, and how the University manages critical incidents on-campus. They also received an overview of the IT support systems and structures at UConn and UConn Health, with a focus on the overarching goals of ensuring IT security. Waterbury Campus Director Fumiko Hoeft also presented on the highlights of UConn Waterbury and led an exciting tour of the campus.

Student Athlete 3.0 Night

On February 15, the Student Athlete Success Program and Division of Athletics held their annual 3.0 Night celebration at the UConn Women’s basketball game vs. CCSU. The event recognized student athletes who achieved a 3.0 or better in the Spring ’22 and/or Fall ’22 semesters. We are proud and inspired by our student athletes who display excellence both in their sport, and in the classroom. We are so proud of the work completed by Ellen Tripp, the director of the Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP), as well as all of the counselors and advisors in this unit for the valuable support and academic counseling they provide to our student-athletes, helping to ensure their academic success.

• 429 students who achieved a 3.00 semester GPA or higher for either Spring 2022 and Fall 2022.
• 73 enrolled student-athletes who earned a term GPA of 4.0 in Spring '22 and/or Fall '22 term.
• 23 enrolled student-athletes who maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.0 through the Fall '22 term
• Currently, sixteen of our teams have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Highlighting Interdisciplinary Scholarship at UConn

The Eversource Energy Center, founded in 2015 at UConn in partnership with the Eversource Energy Company, is a unique research institute whose mission is “to be the foremost energy utility-academia partnership advancing leading-edge interdisciplinary research and technology assuring reliable power during extreme weather and security events.”

In the eight years since it set up shop at the UConn Tech Park’s Innovation Partnership Building, the EEC has been making great strides in the five research areas—or pillars—on which its mission rests: grid resilience in a warming climate, grid reliability in a changing demand environment, renewable energy integration, cyber-physical system security, and workforce training, outreach, and policy. In its annual reports, the Center chronicles its progress in an ever-increasing number and range of research projects in all of these areas. These include advances in storm preparedness, vegetation management, electric grid reinforcement, and renewable energy.

A centerpiece of EEC accomplishment is the development of UConn’s Outage Prediction Model (OPM), which combines weather, vegetation, infrastructural, and historical storm data, among others, to predict storm damage to the electric grid and enable utilities to prepare for its impacts. Recently, the Center entered into partnerships with AVANGRID and Dominion Energy to extend development of the OPM to parts of the United States beyond Eversource’s service area, including New York, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Aside from its research work, the EEC provides substantial support to the UConn community in other ways. Since its inception, the Center has funded 145 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels, 10 postdoctoral researchers, and 49 UConn faculty. Through its new Grid Modernization Certificate Program, it is also preparing early-career engineers for careers in managing an electric grid made ever more complex by the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.  And, through its pioneering Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, the Center has, to date, funded thirteen underrepresented and minority (URM) students, including support for internships, mentors, and expenses for those who present their research at national conferences and publish their work. The goal is ultimately to have URM students comprise 25 percent of the Center’s funded students.

Recently, Eversource Energy extended its support for the Eversource Energy Center with a commitment of $14 million in new funding. The Center will use these funds to continue and expand its efforts to address the great resilience challenges that confront the energy industry at the intersection of weather extremes, climate change, and clean power infrastructure.

Academic Affairs Spotlight

The Office of the Provost and the units that report in academic affairs are staffed and led by an outstanding group of talented and dedicated colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Dr. Tadarrayl Starke, Associate Vice Provost of the Institute for the Student Success. He also serves as Interim Executive Director for Access and Post-Secondary Success, Director, McNair Scholars Program, and Director, Northeast Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Dr. Starke is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. For over 20 years, Dr. Starke has been committed to student success, with an emphasis in serving students traditionally underrepresented in higher education like himself.

What does a typical work week look like for you?

For the most part, my week is filled with committee, staff, and budget meetings. I also add in various UConn Foundation meetings on both the development and corporate philanthropy sides on certain weeks to ensure we keep our needs and activities on the forefront of their awareness and to help add resources to various student success initiatives. Because ISS is such a large division, the meetings are varied in their focus areas and targeted populations. But, many meetings allow for colleagues and myself to discuss ways we can be creative and innovative to move student success forward at UConn. Those meetings have helped move forward a lot of the work in ISS, but also have generated ideas for new programming and services to support our students. It’s always exciting when we get to envision how we can better support our students in reaching their goals.

During certain stretches of the year, I am usually consumed with grant writing to help supplement our programs across the division. Over the last 2 years, I’ve been able to work with some great people at UConn to submit over $45 million in grant proposals. Fingers crossed for some of those awaiting determination.

Like a lot of staff, right now I am also serving in additional capacities within our division. One role is the Interim Director of the Center for Access & Postsecondary Success (CAPS). This provides a great opportunity to work with our university community to promote greater equity in higher education and to imagine and develop steps to expand how we at UConn better serve and support our underrepresented populations across the system.

Finally, my weeks are highlighted when I get to engage with undergraduate students in conversations about their experiences at UConn, or talking with graduate students about their professional pathways, or speaking in a class about my personal journey in and through higher education to help students realize there’s no one defined path to reach your goals.

What is an important project/initiative you’re working on right now?  

A major initiative I’m working on is Regional Campus success efforts. Focusing significantly on underrepresented student populations, I’m working with various people across the UConn system, as well as our partners in the UConn Foundation, to build new systems, services, and resources to enhance existing student success efforts and develop new ways of improving student outcomes. Our work seeks to help students tap into programming that can promote retention while also helping them build a sense of community to the campus and to each other. This is another area where being free to imagine what could be is so important, as we have the potential to create a new way of approaching student success and expand how our students on the Regional Campuses experience the various dimensions of UConn.

What are you most looking forward to as the semester begins?

Student engagement. Students give me energy. As someone who comes from a Student Affairs background, I thrive off the energy students bring. It keeps me focused on why we’re all here – them and their needs. Their energy provides the opportunity for us to also listen to their voices in order to develop better ways to serve and support them through the journey to and through UConn. I look forward to great conversations about what we can do to make UConn a place where all of our students feel valued, can pursue their interests, and build lifelong connections with faculty, staff, and other students.

If you could solve one problem right now at UConn, what would it be?

If I could solve one problem right now at UConn, it would be to expand advising staff…not just academic advising staff, but increase the number of staff who provide an advising and/or counseling function to our students. Our academic and non-academic advising staff provide such significant support to move UConn’s student success metrics. Unfortunately, we’ve had to do it in the midst of increasing caseloads, staff departures and retirements, and the increased need of our students to have deeper interpersonal connections. A robust formal and informal advising system shows the strength of an institution in meeting students’ needs. It’s our people who move and drive student success and, if I had the ability to enhance this particular function of the university, there’s no doubt we would reap the benefits in terms of improved metrics and student outcomes, as well as deepening students connections to the campus and inspire their continued support of UConn nation even well after they graduate.

What is your favorite UConn experience so far?

My first UConn Women’s Basketball tournament in Gampel is one of my favorite memories. The energy. The crowd. The excitement. I definitely learned why UConn is the basketball capital of the world. It was also a great change of pace after so long being online and working remotely.

Cultivate

March 2, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom

The Role of Radical Optimism in Changing Higher Education with Dr. Christina Katopodis.

Timely Topics

Timely Topics is a series of opportunities to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to those who support and advise graduate students and programs. Two tracks are offered for this series: one designed for faculty and one designed for faculty who hold an administrative role and staff, however every session is available to anyone interested in joining. All sessions will be held as a WebEx meeting. Links for each meeting will be sent directly to registrants and follow up materials will be posted on our website. Slides, recordings, and resources from past sessions can always be found at The Graduate School’s Timely Topics webpage.

Dates

February 27-March 3, 2023: On-Campus Nursing Dean Candidate Interviews

March 2, 2023: Cultivate

March 13-March 17: Spring Break